Market Commentary (HRC)

Without a doubt the historical passage of several trade measures in the US has the potential to change the steel products landscape in the coming years. After all, US HRC steel prices have dropped by 25% since the start of this year. The steel industry (e.g. producers) believes this price drop has come as a result of massive imports that have begun to slow. Certainly the data supports that conclusion though other factors undoubtedly contribute to falling steel prices.

Regardless of where one stands on the import issue (either for or against) buying organizations are likely to feel the impact of the new legislation. We will discuss some of these impacts in upcoming reports.

A Fundamentals View (HRC)

Meanwhile HRC pricing has held steady from a month ago (up slightly). However, service center inventory levels (which supply some 40% of all metal to buying organizations) still suffer from too much MOH inventory. According to the latest MSCI data, steel product inventories jumped 11% in June from the same period in 2014 and perhaps more significantly, the current MOH inventory of 2.8 months of supply remains above “healthy” inventory levels.

With higher than healthy MOH inventory, service centers remain weak buyers in the market and that helps keep a lid on prices.

The Outlook (HRC)

HRC prices seem to have begun to stabilize after falling for nearly a year by closing the month of May at $464/st. We remain hesitant to call bottom particularly as the broader commodity markets remain bearish and the dollar still holds stronger. It would appear challenging for HRC to make any bold price moves to the upside. But we may have found HRC’s floor. This will require buying organizations to be particularly mindful of any upward price movements.

Market Commentary (CRC)

CRC has fallen by some 21%+/- since the beginning of the year. The pricing dynamics for CRC are similar to HRC. Undoubtedly the impact of the trade legislation signed into law in late June will impact all steel product market segments including CRC.

Globally, European mills have filed an anti-dumping suit against cold rolled coil imports from China. India has begun collecting duties on HRC products from three countries but could add CRC tariffs as well. In short, all eyes remain on China but other countries are also contributing to the oversupply.

In the meantime, domestic steel capacity utilization rates are running at 72.5%, down 7.4% from a year ago. Generally speaking a “healthy” capacity utilization rate is up above 80%.

The Outlook (CRC)

CRC prices have crept up during the month of June closing at $590/st but failing to breach last month’s short-term resistance levels. We also still see some price weakness on the horizon and continue to remain hesitant to call bottom particularly as the broader commodity markets remain bearish and the dollar holds stronger. Like HRC, it would appear challenging for CRC to make any bold price moves to the upside.

Market Commentary (HDG)

HDG continues to face price weakness, falling from $619 to $594/st, a 4% price drop. Interestingly, while steel imports have dropped during the month of May by 3.6% from April, HDG imports have continued to increase growing by nearly 17% from April to May after having jumped 20% from March to April. As with the other forms of metal, the new trade legislation will provide more enforcement “teeth” to the import process.

Six steelmakers with major US operations filed a trade complaint over HDG in June, seeking punitive tariffs for alleged unfair pricing of imported steel from China, India, Italy, South Korea and Taiwan. The suit is the first salvo in the campaign this year by the beleaguered US steel industry to protect itself against a record flood of imports.

And though US auto numbers remain positive, Chinese automotive sales continue to decline placing additional price pressure on HDG prices – which have fallen some 24% since the beginning of the year.

The Outlook (HDG)

We remain hesitant to call bottom particularly as the broader commodity markets remain bearish and the dollar holds stronger. Like HRC and CRC, it would appear challenging for HDG to make any bold price moves to the upside. It is possible, however that we will see some price stabilization.

Market Commentary (Plate)

Steel plate prices have held nearly steady this past month despite continued weakness in the energy sector, which contributes heftily to plate demand. US imports of plate products grew 13% in May and are up 36% from the same five- month time period one year ago June – May.

The Outlook (Plate)

Plate prices held steady this past month at $574/st. And indeed last month we indicated prices may be stabilizing. However, we remain hesitant to call bottom particularly as the broader commodity markets remain bearish and the dollar holds stronger. In addition, plate suffers from an inventory overhang that will take some time to work off.

So What Should My Industrial Buying Strategy Be?

This steel price forecast was excerpted from our brand new Monthly Metal Buying Outlook report. For a short- and long-term buying strategy with specific price thresholds, consult the July 2015 report!